Note that benzos and Z-drugs are indeed positive allosteric modulators of GABA_A.

So one would assume so. The risks are reduced due to it being event related treatment (delivery) and time limited license (14days).

Alprazolam similarly has antidepressants effects and similar might work for PPD given its insomnia/anxiety predominant features.

FDA approved it based on placebo studies as there are no licensed pills for PPD. This is bag Sage/Biogen buckets of money.

> Note that benzos and Z-drugs are indeed positive allosteric modulators of GABA_A.

I tried to read up on it but I am left utterly confused. Are benzos and z-drugs GABA agonists, GABA positive allosteric modulators or both?

It's not your fault the terminology is used loosely especially as it can take time to fully characterise the action.

Benzos and Z-drugs are considered PAMs, it's possible some have some intrinsic activity but otherwise they simply potentiate other agonists.

The big benefit here is that they are far less likely to cause death when taken alone.

The confusion is that any positive effect is typically called agonist and any negative effect called an antagonist when discussed informally.

The addiction potential and the associated risks vary greatly from benzos to phenibut. Benzo withdrawal can kill you, pregabalin or phenibut withdrawal will cause only moderate discomfort.